Parton Distributions in the Higgs Boson Era

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in determining proton parton distribution functions (PDFs), emphasizing new LHC data, theoretical improvements, and future prospects for precision in high-energy physics measurements.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in PDF determination, including experimental, theoretical, and methodological developments over the past year.

Findings

Impact of new LHC measurements on PDFs

Studies of theoretical uncertainties in PDFs

Methodological improvements in global PDF analysis

Abstract

Parton distributions are an essential ingredient of the LHC program. PDFs are relevant for precision Standard Model measurements, for Higgs boson characterization as well as for New Physics searches. In this contribution I review recent progress in the determination of the parton distributions of the proton during the last year. Important developments include the impact of new LHC measurements to pin down poorly known PDFs, studies of theoretical uncertainties, higher order calculations for processes relevant for PDF determinations, PDF benchmarking exercises with LHC data, as well as methodological and statistical improvements in the global analysis framework. I conclude with some speculative considerations about future directions in PDF determinations from the theory point of view.